News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-12-29

! But the covert threat con tanned in
these last words did not cause Stuart tc
. waver an instant. He was very gener.
Gus as well as brave.
81 told the bows l wouldn't, sir" he
answered respectfully
"Thev didn't offer to come with you,
[ suppose 2"
''Well. am [ to look only to you to
pay me for my horse Z
Paw him Stuart stared at the old
gentleman aghast. The thought of
i paving for the horse had never entered
his mind.
He knew payment was out of the
question. He had not q dollar of his
own in the world, and it vas only by the
strictest economy that his mother man
aged to make her small income cover
their necessary expenseFthey did not
indulge IN luxuries of anF sort.
"That horse was thoroughbred, :"
continued Mr.. Peifer, his keen eyes
still fixed on the boys white, distressed
face. 81 paid six frr,ted dollars for
him the day before Foa-ssoke his neck. !"
"Six hundred dollaisl' gasped poor
Stuart, his face growing winter still.
"Oh, Mr.. Peiffer!''
81 can show you the receipt for the
money if you want to see it, L have it
here,' tapping his breast pocket.
"Costly fun you had, eh 2''
Stuart tried to speak, but his tongue
Glove to the roof of his mouth.
"You haven't any money SUPPOSE"
said Mr.. Peiffer.
HNO. sir. not n dollar -
"You must work it out, then. Are
you willing to do that?
"Oh, yes, sir" criedStuart, the color
coming back to his face. "I'd be glad
to do anything to pay you"
Every well; report 70 me tomorrow
morning at my factory. III see what I
can do for you
Mr. Peiffer turned away, and without
another word went into the house and
closed the door.
With feeling of profound relief Stu
art went home and told his mother all
about that piece of costly fun, its tragic
ending and the bargain he had made.
''Nr. Peiffer is the man to get the
worth of the horse out OF you before he
lets you CO. was Mrs. Wizards first
comment. 'but you did only what was
right in going straight to him with the
whole story, my son. 1t must have re-
quired great deal of courage, and an
proud of you"
Stuart was deeply touched by his
mothers praise, and the consciousness
that he deserved it made him almost
happy, in spite of the load Oh his
heart.
It was load that grew less with ev-
cry day; for he soon became very useful
in the factory, and as he wrote good
hand and was quick at figures, he.was
put into the Office and taught how to
keep the books and invoice goods. In
this way he learned every detail of the
business.
It was very hard at first, of course,
for Stuart's great fault stood in the way
of his progress. But no one could be
lazy very long where Mr.. Peiffer was,
he was such an energetic; industrious
mani himself, and he seemed to take
particular pleasure in pushing Stuart
along.
Stuart ascribed this at first to malice,
and desire for revenge: but he thought
5effer He ts'i found that Kind hiearf
beat under that exterior, and that the
old gentleman appreciated at their full
value the virtues of truth, sincerity and
manliness.
1t was two years before the subject
of the debt Stuart owed his en-
plover was mentioned between
them. Then one day Mr.. Peiffer
called the young man into his own prl-
vate Office.
Give been expecting for some time
that you would speak to me about that
six hundred dollars you owe me, Wal
lard" he said; "but you have not men
toned it."
81 felt sure you would tell me when L
had worked it out, sir, /" replied Stuart:
"If I say [ consider the debt paid
now, you will be wanting to leave me,
said Mr.. Peifer.
"Not if you want me to stay, slr. l
shall not go to school again. L am 10
years old, and it is time L began to help
my mother. I'll stay here if you want
me to do so, s:r
Mr.. Peiffer gave n short laugh n.
"That's modest, Willard, when you
know as well as do that | couldn't get
along without You, now. The day you
came to me like the brave, honest poy
You are, aud confessed that you hal
killed my horse, [ made up my mind
that you were the boy [ needed here;
It was worth more than six hundred
dollars to me to find some one on whose
truth and honesty [ could rely lmpIl9,
lily. If you stay with me, Willard, III
allow YOU a good salary from this day
forward, aud therell be an excellent
chance for promotion to something
good deal better
OF course Willard stayed, and the
something a good deal better" proved
to be junior partnership at the end of
eight years service.
So you see Stuart had reason to be
thankful that the principles of honesty
and truth, instilled into him by hls
widowed mother, led him to make the
confession which resulted in curing hlm
forever of his great fault, and placing
him in a position of honor and trust. -
Examiner.